Overcheck-terret



(Nd Model.) J. HUDSON.

OVERGHEOK TERRET No. 244,458, Patented July 19,1881.

4 OQM N. PEIERS. Phflwlmmgnphn. Washillglom D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN HUDSON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN.

OV ERCH EC K-TERRET.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 244,458, dated July 19, 1881.

Application filed December 14, 1880. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN HUnsoN, of Detroit, county of Wayne, State of Michigan, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Overcheck-Terrets; and I declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being bad to the accom- Io panying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention consists in a combination ofdevices and appliances hereinafter set forth, and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure l a plan view of the device embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a similar side elevation, with the device opened out to receive the check-rein. Fig. 4 is a vazo riation, in which the parts B and 0 not only engage but look together.

This apparatus is designed for use at the top of the headstall of a bridle. Its object is to retain the check-rein, which is passed through it and to hold the said rein always in its proper place, yet permitting free play of the rein through it. Heretofore such loops had been made of leather or of metal, and the contrivance has been made of metal with a 0 loose latch which could be opened out, so as to release the check-rein or facilitate its being passed into the loop. Such devices, however, have been more or less liable to open out and release the check-rein by accidental causes.

3 5 By my invention I propose to make the said loop in two pieces, each part being independently attached to the headstall, the parts composing said loop admitting of being opened out from each other by bending the leather composing the headstall between the points of attachment of the two pieces, which will now be explained.

A represents the top strap of the headstall of the bridle. B is one of the parts of the metallic loop, and O is the other part. These parts are so constructed as to engage with each other. The-particular manner in which they engage is not material. For instance, one part may close down beside the other, or 50 the two may come together and simply overlap each other; but I prefer, as shown in the drawings, to make the part B so that the part 0 shall enter the former, and thus permit the two to close together, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. These parts B and (l are each separately attached, byrivets D or otherwise,to the headstall, and so long as the bridle is upon the horse it is apparent that the parts B and O composing the loop cannot open out, but that they can be opened out only by bending the leather between the points D, and the bending necessary to thus open them apart is so short that there is no liability of the device being opened accidentally when the bridle is removed or not in use.

In bending the strap for the purpose above stated it will be found that such can be accomplished, although the headstall is fitted to the head of the horse. There is always some slack in the straps of a headstall, and, moreover, the drawing up of the top strap causes a strain upon the cheek-straps which, in turn, draw the bit farther back in the horses mouth, thereby giving the requisite amount of slack, which can be taken up in bending the 7 5 top strap.

I would have it understood that I do not limit myself to a construction just such as shown, but contemplate, broadly, any construction in which the loop is made of parts which open out by bending the leather, as above described.

It will be seen that in this device the parts are held together by no snap or catch; but such a catch may, if desired, be employed- 8 as, for instance, a knob or projection, E, may be formed upon the part 0, and be caused to spring into a corresponding cavity, F, in the piece B, as shown in Fig. 4.

In this device I do not limit myself to its 0 employment solely at the top of a bridle or headstall as a runner for a check-rein, but contemplate its employment in any location where a similar connection may be desired.

What I claim is- 1. A loop consisting of two parts, adapted to be secured independently and rigidly to the strap, and to be opened out for the reception of the rein by bending the strap between the points of attachment of the said parts, sub- 1C0 stantially as described.

2. The loop consisting of the two parts B and 0, adapted to belindependently and rigidly connected with the strap A, to engage with each other, and to be opened out by bending the strap between the points of attachment of said parts, substantially as described.

3. The loop composed of two pieces, B and 0, adapted to be each rigidly connected to the strap and to engage with each other, and provided with a latch mechanism, the said parts 

